title: The identification and treatment of toxic megacolon secondary to pseudomembranous colitis.
abstract: Toxic megacolon is an infrequently occurring, potentially life-threatening complication of pseudomembranous colitis. Although toxic megacolon may be considered rare, incidence is expected to increase because of the rapidly increased prevalence of pseudomembranous colitis. This article discusses the pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for toxic megacolon secondary to pseudomembranous colitis. Critical care nurses should be aware of the disease to intervene early and increase the chance of the patient's survival.
authors.affiliation: Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. earharmm@aol.com
authors.forename: Megan M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Earhart
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003082:Colectomy; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy; D015994:Incidence; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008532:Megacolon, Toxic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011379:Prognosis; D035583:Rare Diseases; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents